In reference to Peters wonderful model, and accompanying article on the real thing, I was wondering if anyone has any speculation on this picture (From Peters article):
The Fahrpanzer was presumably intended as an anti-infantry device, as it was designed around 1890. When it was first designed, the concept of a heavy tracked fighting vehicle couldn't have possibly been put into the equation. So, it's interesting that this picture could indeed point to a Fahrpanzer knocking out a "modern" Tank. Note the crew doors below the MG sponson flung open, a common indicator that the tank has been knocked out and the crew evacuated.
I think we're all big fans of the Fahrpanzer, so I just thought I might throw it out there.
This is obviously an 'after the battle has passed' photo given the viewpoint from which the shot is taken (the photographer would have to be standing up above the trench). The Fahrpanzer has also been abandoned by the look of things. The tank appears to have been traveling from East to West ( ie from the German lines towards the Allies) The direction can be determined by the location of the doors on the non rotating section of the Fahrpanzer. This would suggest a number of possibilities:
- The tank is British and was rallying after having completed its mission but broke down or got bogged on the way back (the Fahrpanzer position would have already been taken as its unlikely that the tank would have been returning through positions still in German hands). - The Tank is a German Beutepanzer and broke down, bogged or was knocked out by Allied fire whilst passing the fahrpanzer position on its way to attack Allied positions.